Thriller MUSAFIR — Ek Raaz. Ek Safar. Ek Sach.

[spritemathews]

Chapter 36​

Andhere Mein Koi Tha​

Darwaza aahista aahista khulta gaya.

Uski charmarahat sunsaan maidan mein door tak goonjti rahi.

Teeno afrad be-harkat khade thay.

Unki nazrein us andhere par jami hui thin jo imarat ke andar phaila hua tha.

Aur us andhere ke darmiyan...

Waqai kuch tha.

Koi saaya.

Koi harkat.

Ya shayad sirf nazron ka dhoka.
​

---

Pehla shakhs ne be-ikhtiyar ek qadam peeche liya.

"Tum ne dekha?"

Usne dheemi awaaz mein poocha.

Doosra shakhs ki nazrein ab bhi andar jami hui thin.

"Haan."

Muhafiz ne kuch nahin kaha.

Magar uske chehre ki sakhti bata rahi thi ke usne bhi kuch mehsoos kiya hai.
​

---

Chand lamhon ki khamoshi ke baad teeno andar daakhil hue.

Hawa sard thi.

Aur usmein ek purani mehak ghuli hui thi.

Jaise sadiyon se band jagahon mein hoti hai.

Magar ek baat ajeeb thi.

Dhool kam thi.

Bohat kam.

Itni kam ke imarat mutarook nazar nahin aati thi.

"Tum dekh rahe ho?"

Doosra shakhs ne dheemi awaaz mein kaha.

Pehla shakhs ne sar hila diya.

"Haan."

"Yahan koi aata raha hai."
​

---

Andar ka hall wasee tha.

Buland sutoon.

Pathar ki deewarein.

Aur markaz mein bana hua ek bara daaira.

Wahi alamat.

Magar is martaba woh sirf deewar par naqsh nahin thi.

Woh poore farsh par bani hui thi.

Aur us daaire ke darmiyan...

Ek kursi rakhi hui thi.

Sirf ek.
​

---

Teeno chand lamhon tak us kursi ko dekhte rahe.

Jaise usmein koi maani chhupa ho.

"Tumhein ajeeb nahin lag raha?"

Pehla shakhs ne poocha.

"Kya?"

"Yahan sab kuch kisi intezar jaisa lagta hai."

Muhafiz ne dheemi awaaz mein jawab diya:

"Kyunki shayad yeh jagah isi liye banayi gayi thi."
​

---

Doosra shakhs hall ke doosre sire ki taraf badha.

Wahan deewar par kuch likha hua tha.

Purane huruf.

Waqt ke saath maand pad chuke.

Magar ab bhi qabil-e-qiraat.

Usne torch ki roshni daali.

Aur phir chand lamhon ke liye bilkul khamosh ho gaya.

"Kya likha hai?"

Pehla shakhs ne poocha.

Doosra shakhs ne dheemi awaaz mein padha:

"Raaz amanat hai."

Phir neeche:

"Amanat waris talash karti hai."

Hall mein sannata chha gaya.
​

---

Muhafiz dheere dheere deewar ke qareeb aaya.

Usne alfaaz ko ghour se dekha.

Aur phir uske chehre par woh ta'assur ubhra jo pehli martaba kisi purani paheli ka jawab milne par ubharta hai.

"Ab samjha."

Usne dheemi awaaz mein kaha.

"Kya?"

Pehla shakhs foran mutawajjah hua.

Muhafiz ne hall ke markazi daaire ki taraf ishara kiya.

"Daaira kisi jagah ka naam nahin tha."

"To phir?"

"Ek intezar ka naam tha."
​

---

Kamre ki hawa jaise ek lamhe ke liye ruk gayi.

Kyunki yeh baat tamam purane suraaghon ko ek naye maani de rahi thi.

Daaire ke arkaan.

Nigran.

Muhafiz.

Waris.

Sab kuch.

Jaise poora nizaam kisi cheez ko bachane ke liye nahin...

Balki kisi ko dhoondhne ke liye banaya gaya ho.
​

---

Achanak hall ke doosre sire se halki si awaaz aayi.

Jaise koi pathar sarak gaya ho.

Teeno ek saath mud gaye.

Khamoshi.

Phir dobara wahi awaaz.

Is martaba zara wazeh.

Pehla shakhs ka gala khushk ho gaya.

"Koi hai."

Doosra shakhs ne jawab nahin diya.

Woh aahista aahista awaaz ki simt badhne laga.
​

---

Hall ke peeche ek tang rahdari thi.

Andheri.

Aur pur-asraar.

Awaaz wahin se aayi thi.

Teeno ehtiyaat se aage badhe.

Rahdari chand mor leti hui neeche utarti gayi.

Aur phir...

Woh ek chhote se kamre mein daakhil hue.

Kamra khaali tha.

Magar uske markaz mein ek purani mez rakhi hui thi.

Aur mez par...

Ek diya jal raha tha.
​

---

Teeno be-ikhtiyar ruk gaye.

Diya.

Aaj bhi jalta hua.

Yahan.

Is sunsaan maqam mein.

Muhafiz ke chehre ka rang dheere dheere badalne laga.

"Yeh mumkin nahin."

Usne dheemi awaaz mein kaha.

Pehla shakhs ne foran poocha:

"Kyun?"

Muhafiz ne diya ki lau ko dekhte hue jawab diya:

"Kyunki koi abhi yahan tha."
​

---

Kamre mein phir sannata chha gaya.

Gehra.

Sard.

Aur pareshan kun.

Kyunki ab koi shak baqi nahin raha tha.

Yeh maqam veeran nahin tha.

Yahan koi mojood tha.

Abhi kuch der pehle tak.
​

---

Doosra shakhs aage badha.

Uski nazar mez par padi.

Wahan ek kagaz rakha hua tha.

Safed.

Saaf.

Aur naya.

Jaise abhi rakha gaya ho.

Usne kagaz uthaya.

Aur padhna shuru kiya.

Pehla jumla dekhte hi uska chehra sakht ho gaya.

"Kya hai?"

Pehla shakhs ne bechaini se poocha.

Doosra shakhs ne dheere se kagaz uski taraf badha diya.

Us par sirf ek jumla likha tha:

"Tum expected waqt se der se pohanche ho."

Kamre mein khamoshi chha gayi.

Phir neeche likha hua doosra jumla nazar aaya.

Aur usne teeno ko chand lamhon ke liye bilkul be-harkat kar diya.

"Magar ab bhi waqt hai."

Pehla shakhs ne dheemi awaaz mein poocha:

"Kis cheez ke liye?"

Muhafiz ne kagaz ulta.

Peechhe sirf ek lafz likha hua tha.

Ek lafz.

Jo saalon purani kahani ko aaj se jor raha tha.

"Intekhab."

Teeno ek doosre ki taraf dekhne lage.

Kyunki pehli martaba unhein ehsaas hua...

Ke shayad woh raaz tak pohanchne nahin aaye.

Shayad unhein kisi aur maqsad ke liye yahan bulaya gaya tha.

Aur agar yeh baat durust thi...

To asli imtehaan ab shuru hone wala tha.

End of Chapter 36 — Andhere Mein Koi Tha​

 

[spritemathews]

Chapter 37​

Intekhab​

Kamre mein jalta hua diya apni maddham lau ke saath khamoshi se roshni phaila raha tha.

Mez par rakha hua kagaz ab bhi unke darmiyan maujood tha.

Aur us par likha hua ek lafz...

"Intekhab."

Jaise poori kahani ka markaz ban gaya ho.
​

---

Teeno afrad kuch der tak khamosh khade rahe.

Kisi ne kuch nahin kaha.

Kyunki pehli martaba unhein mehsoos hua tha ke tamam suraagh, tamam raaste aur tamam raaz unhein kisi jawab tak nahin...

Balki kisi faisle tak laane ke liye thay.

"Yeh intekhab kis ka hai?"

Pehla shakhs ne aakhir poocha.

Doosra shakhs ne kagaz dobara dekha.

Magar wahan koi aur lafz nahin tha.

Sirf wahi ek jumla.

Aur woh ek lafz.
​

---

Muhafiz dheere dheere kamre mein tehallne laga.

Uski aankhon mein gehri soch nazar aa rahi thi.

Achanak woh ruk gaya.

Aur usne dheemi awaaz mein kaha:

"Shayad hum ghalat sawaal pooch rahe hain."

Pehla shakhs foran mutawajjah hua.

"Matlab?"

Muhafiz ne jawab diya:

"Yeh nahin ke intekhab kis ka hai."

Woh ruk gaya.

"...asal sawaal yeh hai ke intekhab kis liye hai."

Kamre mein sannata chha gaya.
​

---

Doosra shakhs ki nazar mez par rakhe hue diye par padi.

Phir usne kamre ka jaiza liya.

Deewarein.

Farsh.

Purane pathar.

Aur phir...

Uski nazar kamre ke ek kone par thehar gayi.

Wahan deewar par kuch naqsh bana hua tha.

Bohat halka.

Magar qabil-e-pehchaan.

Wahi daaira.

Magar is martaba uske andar teen nishaan bane hue thay.
​

---

"Torch."

Usne dheemi awaaz mein kaha.

Pehla shakhs ne foran torch uski taraf badha di.

Roshni deewar par padi.

Aur naqsh wazeh hone laga.

Teen nishaan.

Phir ek lakeer.

Aur phir...

Sirf ek nishaan aage jaata hua.

Muhafiz ki saans halki si tez ho gayi.

"Yeh..."

Woh jumla mukammal na kar saka.

"Kya hai?"

Pehla shakhs ne poocha.

Muhafiz ne dheemi awaaz mein jawab diya:

"Yeh intekhab ka naqsha hai."
​

---

Kamre ki hawa phir bojhal ho gayi.

Kyunki ab pehli martaba diary aur bayaan ke alfaaz samajh mein aane lage thay.

Teen afrad.

Teen raaste.

Aur aakhir mein...

Sirf ek.

Jaise us raat bhi koi intekhab hua tha.

Aur aaj bhi.
​

---

Achanak doosra shakhs ki nazar deewar ke neeche padi.

Wahan ek chhota sa khana bana hua tha.

Pathar ke andar.

Aisa jaise kisi cheez ko chhupane ke liye tayyar kiya gaya ho.

Woh jhuk gaya.

Aur usne ehtiyaat se usay khola.

Andar ek aur kagaz tha.

Magar yeh kagaz naya nahin tha.

Bohat purana tha.

Itna purana ke uske kinaare tootne lage thay.
​

---

Pehla shakhs ne be-ikhtiyar poocha:

"Kya likha hai?"

Doosra shakhs ne kagaz khola.

Aur padhna shuru kiya.

Pehli sataar dekhte hi uska chehra badal gaya.

"Yeh usi ki tahreer hai."

"Kis ki?"

"Teesre aadmi ki."

Kamre mein phir sannata chha gaya.
​

---

Tahreer mukhtasar thi.

Magar har jumla bojhal.

"Agar tum yahan tak pohanch gaye ho..."

"...to daaira apna kaam poora kar chuka hai."

Pehla shakhs ne gehri saans li.

Aur tahreer aage padhi gayi.

"Raaz ko hifazat ki zaroorat nahin thi."

"Raaz ko samajhne wale ki zaroorat thi."

Muhafiz ne aankhen band kar li.

Jaise usne saalon se jis jawab ki talaash ki thi...

Woh uske saamne aa gaya ho.
​

---

"Tum samajh rahe ho?"

Usne dheemi awaaz mein kaha.

Doosra shakhs ne sar hila diya.

"Haan."

"Daaira muhafizon ka nizaam nahin tha."

Woh ruk gaya.

"...talash ka nizaam tha."

Kamre ki fiza badal gayi.

Poora maazi.

Poora safar.

Ek naye maani mein dhalne laga.
​

---

Tahreer ke aakhri hisse par alfaaz aur bhi saaf thay.

Jaise likhne wala chahta ho ke yeh baat zaroor samjhi jaye.

"Jis din tum yahan pohancho..."

"...us din tumhein bhi intekhab karna hoga."

Pehla shakhs ne foran poocha:

"Kaisa intekhab?"

Magar jawab tahreer ke agle jumle mein mojood tha.

Aur usne teeno ko khamosh kar diya.

"Sach ko azaad karna..."

"...ya use mehfooz rakhna."
​

---

Kamre mein gehri khamoshi chha gayi.

Door kahin hawa deewaron se takra kar awaaz paida kar rahi thi.

Magar us lamhe kisi ne us awaaz par tawajju nahin di.

Kyunki ab kahani ka asal markaz saamne aa chuka tha.

Raaz.

Aur uska mustaqbil.
​

---

Pehla shakhs ne dheemi awaaz mein poocha:

"Yeh raaz hai kya?"

Doosra shakhs ne kagaz palta.

Shayad uska jawab peeche likha ho.

Magar wahan sirf ek aur jumla tha.

Bas ek.

Aur us jumle ne teeno ke chehron ka rang badal diya.

"Raaz isi imarat mein hai."

Khamoshi.

Phir doosra jumla.

Aur usne mahaul ko aur bhi sard kar diya.

"Aur tumhare qareeb hai."

Teeno be-ikhtiyar ek saath kamre ke gird dekhne lage.

Deewarein.

Farsh.

Purane pathar.

Jalta hua diya.

Aur woh kursi jo hall ke markaz mein rakhi hui thi.

Achanak muhafiz ki aankhen phail gayin.

Jaise usne koi bohat aham baat samajh li ho.

Pehla shakhs ne foran poocha:

"Kya hua?"

Muhafiz ne dheere dheere sar uthaya.

Uski nazrein hall ki simt jami hui thin.

Phir usne nihayat aahista kaha:

"Hum ghalat jagah dekh rahe thay."

"Kya matlab?"

Muhafiz ki awaaz ab pehle se zyada bojhal thi.

"Raaz kamre mein nahin hai."

Woh ruk gaya.

"...raaz us kursi ke neeche hai."

Kamre mein sannata chha gaya.

Kyunki pehli martaba manzil saamne nazar aa rahi thi.

Aur shayad...

Us kursi ke neeche woh cheez dafan thi jiske liye daaira paida hua tha.

End of Chapter 37 — Intekhab​

 

[spritemathews]

Chapter 38​

Kursi Ke Neeche​

Markazi hall phir khamosh ho gaya.

Teeno afrad be-harkat khade thay.

Aur unki nazrein us ek kursi par jami hui thin jo daaire ke darmiyan rakhi thi.

Wahi kursi.

Jo pehli nazar mein mamooli lagi thi.

Magar ab...

Sab kuch usi ke gird ghoomta nazar aa raha tha.
​

---

Muhafiz dheere dheere aage badha.

Uske qadmon ki halki si goonj wasee hall mein phail gayi.

Pehla shakhs aur doosra shakhs bhi uske peeche chal diye.

Jaise kisi ghair-mar'i quwwat ne teeno ko ek hi simt mein dhakel diya ho.

Kursi ab bilkul saamne thi.

Purani.

Mazboot.

Aur waqt ke asar ke bawajood pur-waqar.
​

---

"Kya tumhein kuch nazar aa raha hai?"

Pehla shakhs ne dheemi awaaz mein poocha.

Doosra shakhs jhuk gaya.

Usne kursi ka har kona dekha.

Har naqsh.

Har lakeer.

Aur phir...

Uski nazar kursi ke paon ke qareeb padi.

"Yeh dekho."

Usne aahista se kaha.
​

---

Kursi ke neeche farsh par ek halka sa daaira bana hua tha.

Itna halka ke door se nazar hi na aata.

Magar qareeb se dekhne par saaf mehsoos hota tha ke yeh pathar ka asal naqsh nahin.

Jaise kisi ne baad mein usay tarasha ho.

Muhafiz ki aankhen tang ho gayin.

"Hato."

Usne dheemi awaaz mein kaha.

Phir woh ghutnon ke bal baith gaya.
​

---

Usne daaire ke kinaare par ungli pheri.

Chand lamhon tak kuch na hua.

Phir halki si "click" ki awaaz sunayi di.

Hall mein sannata chha gaya.

Pehla shakhs ki saans be-ikhtiyar ruk gayi.

Aur phir...

Farsh ka ek hissa dheere dheere neeche dhansne laga.
​

---

Pathar sarak gaya.

Aur uske neeche ek chhota sa khana numayan hua.

Andhera.

Gehra.

Aur pur-asraar.

Magar us andhere ke darmiyan kuch rakha hua tha.

Ek sandook.

Magar yeh sandook pehle wale sandook se mukhtalif tha.

Chhota.

Siyah rang ka.

Aur ghair-mamooli tor par mehfooz.
​

---

Teeno chand lamhon tak usay dekhte rahe.

Jaise saalon ki talaash aakhir unke saamne aa khadi hui ho.

Pehla shakhs ne dheemi awaaz mein kaha:

"Yahi hai."

Doosra shakhs ne jawab nahin diya.

Kyunki uske zehan mein sirf ek sawaal goonj raha tha.

Iske andar kya hai?
​

---

Muhafiz ne sandook ko ehtiyaat se bahar nikala.

Woh hairat angez tor par bhaari tha.

Jaise usmein kagzaat nahin...

Kuch aur ho.

Usne sandook mez par rakh diya.

Hall ki maddham roshni uski satah par phel gayi.

Aur isi waqt teeno ki nazar us par bani hui ek alamat par padi.

Wahi daaira.

Magar is martaba uske darmiyan teen lakeerein bani hui thin.
​

---

"Teen."

Pehla shakhs ne aahista se kaha.

Doosra shakhs ne sar hila diya.

"Teen afrad."

Muhafiz ne dheemi awaaz mein jumla mukammal kiya:

"Be-Naam Baani."

"Doosra aadmi."

"Aur teesra aadmi."

Khamoshi.

Gehri.

Aur bojhal.
​

---

Sandook par koi taala nazar nahin aata tha.

Na koi chaabi ka suraakh.

Na koi zanjeer.

Bas woh alamat.

Aur uske gird chand purane huruf.

Doosra shakhs jhuk gaya.

Usne alfaaz padhne ki koshish ki.

Aur phir uske chehre ka rang dheere dheere badalne laga.

"Kya likha hai?"

Pehla shakhs ne poocha.

Doosra shakhs ne dheemi awaaz mein jawab diya:

"Amanat sirf us ke liye jo intekhab samajh chuka ho."
​

---

Hall ki hawa phir sard ho gayi.

Kyunki yeh sirf ek paighaam nahin tha.

Yeh aakhri aazmaish lagti thi.

Aisa mehsoos ho raha tha jaise sandook kholne se pehle bhi koi faisla darkaar ho.

"Kya hum taiyyar hain?"

Pehla shakhs ne poocha.

Kisi ne foran jawab nahin diya.

Kyunki pehli martaba darr mehsoos ho raha tha.

Jawab milne ka darr.
​

---

Chand lamhon baad muhafiz ne sandook ke upar haath rakha.

Aur phir...

Usne daaire ki alamat ko dabaya.

Halki si awaaz hui.

Aur sandook ka dhakkan dheere dheere khul gaya.
​

---

Teeno be-ikhtiyar aage jhuk gaye.

Andar na sona tha.

Na naqsha.

Na koi qeemti cheez.

Sirf ek moti si file.

Aur us file ke upar rakha hua ek khat.

Safed kagaz.

Saaf tahreer.

Jaise kal hi likha gaya ho.

Pehla shakhs ne kanpte hue haath se khat uthaya.

Aur pehli sataar padhi.

Uska chehra foran badal gaya.

"Kya hua?"

Doosra shakhs ne poocha.

Pehla shakhs ne mushkil se jawab diya:

"Yeh..."

Woh ruk gaya.

"...yeh humare naam hai."

Khamoshi.

Mukammal khamoshi.
​

---

Doosra shakhs ne foran khat apne haath mein le liya.

Aur uski nazar pehle jumle par padi.

"Agar tum yahan tak pohanch gaye ho..."

"...to tum dono wahi afrad ho jinka intezar tha."

Hall mein hawa jaise ruk gayi.

Muhafiz bhi be-ikhtiyar aage badha.

Khat ke neeche mazeed alfaaz darj thay.

Aur unhon ne teeno ko bilkul be-harkat kar diya.

"Main teesra aadmi hoon."

Khamoshi.

Gehri.

Sard.

Aur hairat angez.

Kyunki pehli martaba...

Woh shakhs jise tareekh ne gumshuda qarar diya tha...

Khud unse mukhatib ho raha tha.

End of Chapter 38 — Kursi Ke Neeche​

 

[spritemathews]

Chapter 39​

Khat-e-Teesra Aadmi​

Hall ki maddham roshni mein gehri khamoshi chhayi hui thi.

Mez par rakha hua khat khula pada tha.

Aur uski pehli sataar ne teeno afrad ko bilkul be-harkat kar diya tha.

"Main teesra aadmi hoon."

Yeh alfaaz kisi kahani ka hissa nahin lagte thay.

Yeh seedhi guftagu thi.

Waqt ke paar se aati hui guftagu.

Ek aise shakhs ki...

Jise duniya ne murda samjha tha.
​

---

Pehla shakhs ne dheemi saans li.

Aur khat ka agla hissa padhna shuru kiya.

"Agar tum yeh khat padh rahe ho..."

"...to iska matlab hai ke daaira nakaam nahin hua."

Hall phir khamosh ho gaya.

Muhafiz ne aankhen band kar li.

Jaise usne saalon se jis jawab ka intezar kiya tha...

Woh uske saamne tha.
​

---

Khat aage barhta gaya.

"Mujhe nahin maloom ke tum kaun ho."

"Magar mujhe itna yaqeen hai ke tum wahan tak pohanch chuke ho jahan sirf do qisam ke log pohanchte hain."

"Ya woh jo sach ke liye sab kuch qurbaan kar dete hain."

"Ya woh jo sach ko apna ghulam banana chahte hain."

Pehla shakhs ne padhna rok diya.

Kamre mein sannata chha gaya.

Kyunki yeh alfaaz seedha un dono se mukhatib mehsoos ho rahe thay.
​

---

Doosra shakhs ne dheemi awaaz mein kaha:

"Aage padho."

Pehla shakhs ne sar hila diya.

Aur phir padhna shuru kiya.

"Us raat hum teen thay."

"Aur hum teeno ek hi sach jaante thay."

"Magar hum us sach ke baare mein muttahid nahin thay."
​

---

Hall ki hawa aur bhi bojhal ho gayi.

Kyunki ab woh lamha qareeb aa raha tha jiska zikr diary mein adhoora reh gaya tha.

"Be-Naam Baani ka yaqeen tha ke sach ko mehfooz rakha jaye."

"Doosra aadmi chahta tha ke sach ko istemal kiya jaye."

"Aur mera yaqeen tha ke sach kisi ek aadmi ki milkiyat nahin hona chahiye."

Khamoshi.

Gehri.

Aur sanjeeda.
​

---

Pehla shakhs ne agla safha palta.

Wahan tahreer zara tez aur bechain nazar aa rahi thi.

Jaise likhne wala waqt ke khilaf likh raha ho.

"Us raat hum ne behas nahin ki."

"Hum ne faisla kiya."

"Aur har faisla kisi qeemat ka mutaqazi hota hai."

Muhafiz ki nazar khat par jam gayi.

Jaise woh har lafz ko zehan mein mehfooz kar raha ho.
​

---

Phir woh jumla saamne aaya...

Jis ne poore hall ko khamosh kar diya.

"Main mara nahin tha."

Na koi tashreeh.

Na koi muqaddama.

Bas yeh ek jumla.

Seedha.

Wazeh.

Aur hila dene wala.
​

---

Pehla shakhs ne dheemi awaaz mein usay dobara padha.

"Main mara nahin tha."

Doosra shakhs ne aankhen band kar li.

Kyunki ab woh ehtemal haqeeqat ban chuka tha.

Teesra aadmi zinda bach gaya tha.

Aur usne jaan-boojh kar apni maut ka dhoka diya tha.
​

---

Khat aage barhta gaya.

"Maine apni maut ka dhoka diya."

"Kyunki mujhe maloom tha ke zinda aadmi ka taaqub kiya jata hai."

"Murda aadmi ko bhula diya jata hai."

Hall mein phir sannata chha gaya.

Yahi woh jumla tha jo uske purane bayaan mein adhoora nazar aaya tha.

Magar ab...

Poora maani saamne tha.
​

---

Pehla shakhs ne agla safha palta.

Aur uski nazar ek aur aham jumle par padi.

"Raaz ko maine chhupaya nahin."

"Maine usay intezar karna sikhaya."

"Kya matlab?"

Pehla shakhs ke munh se be-ikhtiyar nikla.

Doosra shakhs khamoshi se sunta raha.
​

---

Khat ka jawab foran maujood tha.

"Raaz ko taalon ke peeche nahin rakha ja sakta."

"Har taala toot jata hai."

"Har deewar gir jati hai."

"Magar intekhab..."

"...intekhab sirf samajhne wala kar sakta hai."

Muhafiz ne dheemi awaaz mein kaha:

"Isi liye daaira bana tha."

Kisi ne uski baat ka jawab nahin diya.

Kyunki ab jawab khud khat de raha tha.
​

---

Aakhri safha baqi tha.

Aur us par tahreer bohat saaf thi.

Jaise likhne wala chahta ho ke yeh baat kabhi dhundli na pade.

"Agar tum yahan tak pohanch gaye ho..."

"...to ab daaire ka intezar khatam ho chuka hai."

Pehla shakhs ka gala khushk ho gaya.

Usne padhna jaari rakha.

"Magar yaad rakhna."

"Aakhri intekhab ab bhi baqi hai."
​

---

Hall mein hawa jaise ruk gayi.

Pehla shakhs ne aakhri satoor par nazar daali.

Aur phir uska chehra dheere dheere safed padne laga.

Doosra shakhs foran qareeb aaya.

"Kya hua?"

Pehla shakhs ne jawab nahin diya.

Usne sirf khat uski taraf badha diya.

Wahan likha tha:

"Sandook ke neeche jo file rakhi hai..."

"...usmein raaz mojood hai."

"Use padhne ke baad tumhein faisla karna hoga."

"Kya insaniyat ko yeh sach maloom hona chahiye?"

Khamoshi.

Mukammal khamoshi.
​

---

Ab teeno ki nazrein us moti file par jami hui thin.

Wahi file jo khat ke neeche rakhi hui thi.

Saalon ka intezar.

Sadiyon ki hifazat.

Aur tamam daaire ka maqsad.

Shayad us file ke andar tha.

Muhafiz ne dheemi awaaz mein poocha:

"Hum kholein?"

Kisi ne foran jawab nahin diya.

Kyunki pehli martaba unhein mehsoos hua...

Ke raaz tak pohanchna mushkil tha.

Magar uske baad jo faisla karna tha...

Woh us se bhi zyada mushkil hoga.

Aur mez par rakhi hui file...

Khamoshi se unka intezar kar rahi thi.

End of Chapter 39 — Khat-e-Teesra Aadmi​

 

[spritemathews]

Chapter 40​

Aakhri File​

Hall ki maddham roshni mein waqt jaise thehar gaya tha.

Mez par rakhi hui moti file ab bhi band padi thi.

Aur uske gird teeno afrad khamosh khade thay.

Kisi ne use chhua tak nahin tha.

Jaise sab ko andaza ho...

Ke us file ke khulne ke baad kuch bhi pehle jaisa nahin rahega.
​

---

Pehla shakhs ne aakhir khamoshi todi.

"Hum itni door aa chuke hain."

Uski awaaz dheemi thi.

Magar usmein thakan bhi thi.

Aur bechaini bhi.

Doosra shakhs ne sar hila diya.

"Haan."

Muhafiz ne file ki taraf dekha.

Aur phir dheere se bola:

"Magar har manzil par pohanchna zaroori nahin hota."

Hall mein phir sannata chha gaya.
​

---

Yeh wahi sawaal tha jo pehle din se unke saath chalta aa raha tha.

Kya har raaz ko jaan lena chahiye?

Kya har sach ko duniya ke saamne lana chahiye?

Aur kya har jawab waqai jawab hota hai?

Ya kuch jawab naye masail paida kar dete hain?
​

---

Aakhir doosra shakhs aage badha.

Usne file par haath rakha.

Dhool nahin thi.

Jaise kisi ne use mehfooz hi nahin...

Balkeh muntazir bhi rakha ho.

Phir usne file khol di.
​

---

Pehla safha bilkul saada tha.

Na koi naqsha.

Na koi tahreer.

Sirf ek jumla.

"Agar tum yeh padh rahe ho, to intezar mukammal ho chuka hai."

Teeno ne khamoshi se usay padha.

Aur phir agla safha khola gaya.
​

---

Doosre safhe par ek sawal likha tha.

Bas ek sawal.

"Insaan kis cheez ko sab se zyada chhupata hai?"

Pehla shakhs ne bhawein sikodi.

"Yeh kaisa raaz hai?"

Muhafiz ne jawab nahin diya.

Kyunki agle safhe par us sawal ka jawab mojood tha.

"Apni ghalti."

Hall phir khamosh ho gaya.
​

---

File aage barhti gayi.

Aur dheere dheere ek ajeeb tasveer saamne aane lagi.

Woh raaz koi formula nahin tha.

Koi daulat nahin thi.

Koi hathyar nahin tha.

Balkeh ek tareekh thi.

Ek ghalti ki tareekh.
​

---

Saalon pehle...

Teen afrad ne ek aisi haqeeqat daryaft ki thi jo duniya ke kai mo'tabar waqiaat ke peeche chhupi hui thi.

Ek aisi ghalti...

Jis ne naslon ke faislon ko mutasir kiya.

Ek aisa sach...

Jise qabool karne ka matlab tha ke kai mo'tabar kahaniyan toot jaayen.
​

---

Pehla shakhs safhe palat-ta gaya.

Uska chehra dheere dheere sanjeeda hota gaya.

"Yeh..."

Woh ruk gaya.

"...yeh to kisi sazish ka raaz nahin."

Doosra shakhs ne sar hila diya.

"Nahin."

Ab uski awaaz mein bhi hairat thi.

"Yeh insani fitrat ka raaz hai."
​

---

File ka markazi nuqta bohat saada tha.

Aur shayad isi liye itna khatarnaak.

Usmein likha tha:

"Log sach se nahin darte."

"Log us sach se darte hain jo unke yaqeen ko badal de."

Hall mein gehri khamoshi chha gayi.

Kyunki tamam daaire, tamam muhafiz aur tamam intezar ka markaz ab saamne tha.
​

---

Teesra aadmi kisi cheez ko chhupa nahin raha tha.

Woh waqt ka intezar kar raha tha.

Aise afrad ka intezar...

Jo sach ko quwwat ke liye nahin, samajhne ke liye dekhein.
​

---

Aakhri chand safhon par sirf ek guzarish likhi hui thi.

Na hukm.

Na dhamki.

Na mashwara.

Sirf guzarish.

"Agar tum yahan tak pohanch gaye ho..."

"...to faisla tumhara hai."

"Sach ko azaad kar do."

"Ya use yahin rehne do."

"Magar jo bhi karo, usay apni khwahish ke liye mat karna."
​

---

Pehla shakhs ne file band kar di.

Hall mein koi awaaz nahin thi.

Sirf hawa ki halki si sarsarahat.

Aur teeno afrad ke zehan mein goonjta hua ek hi sawaal.

Ab kya?
​

---

Muhafiz dheere dheere kursi par baith gaya.

Jaise uske kandhon se saalon ka bojh utar gaya ho.

"Ab samjha."

Usne dheemi awaaz mein kaha.

Pehla shakhs ne uski taraf dekha.

"Kya?"

Muhafiz halka sa muskuraya.

"Daaira raaz ki hifazat nahin kar raha tha."

Woh ruk gaya.

"Daaira faisle ki hifazat kar raha tha."
​

---

Khamoshi.

Gehri.

Mukammal.

Aur ajeeb tor par pur-sukoon.

Kyunki pehli martaba kahani ke tamam tukde apni jagah par aa gaye thay.

Be-Naam Baani.

Teesra Aadmi.

Nigran.

Muhafiz.

Intekhab.

Aur daaira.

Sab ek hi cheez ke gird ghoom rahe thay.

Ikhtiyar.
​

---

Raat dheere dheere guzar rahi thi.

Aur markazi hall mein teeno afrad khamosh baithe thay.

File band ho chuki thi.

Raaz saamne aa chuka tha.

Magar faisla ab bhi baqi tha.

Aur shayad...

Yahi asal imtehaan tha.

Kyunki kuch kahaniyan raaz milne par khatam nahin hotin.

Woh us lamhe se shuru hoti hain...

Jab aadmi faisla karta hai ke us raaz ke saath karna kya hai.

End of Chapter 40 — Aakhri File​

 

[spritemathews]

Chapter 41​

Faisla​

Raat apne aakhri pehar mein daakhil ho chuki thi.

Markazi hall mein maddham roshni phaili hui thi.

Aur us roshni ke darmiyan mez par rakhi hui file band padi thi.

Raaz saamne aa chuka tha.

Safar mukammal ho chuka tha.

Magar ajeeb baat yeh thi ke kisi ko fatah ka ehsaas nahin ho raha tha.

Kyunki asal bojh ab shuru hua tha.
​

---

Teeno afrad khamosh baithe thay.

Pehla shakhs hall ke door kone mein khada tha.

Doosra shakhs kursi ke paas.

Aur muhafiz wohi purani kursi par baitha hua tha.

"Tum dono kya sochte ho?"

Muhafiz ne aakhir poocha.

Uski awaaz mein woh bojh nahin tha jo pehle tha.

Jaise saalon ka intezar uske andar se utar chuka ho.
​

---

Pehla shakhs ne foran jawab nahin diya.

Woh khidki ke qareeb gaya.

Bahar andhera dheere dheere halka ho raha tha.

Door afaq par subah ki pehli lakeer ubhar rahi thi.

Phir usne dheemi awaaz mein kaha:

"Mujhe nahin pata."

Yeh pehli martaba tha ke usne itni saaf taur par apni uljhan qabool ki.
​

---

Doosra shakhs ne file par haath rakha.

"Tumhein kis baat ka darr hai?"

Usne poocha.

Pehla shakhs mud kar uski taraf dekha.

"Kya tumhein darr nahin lag raha?"

Doosra shakhs ne muskurane ki koshish ki.

Magar muskurahat mukammal na ho saki.

"Lag raha hai."

Woh ruk gaya.

"Bohat."
​

---

Hall phir khamosh ho gaya.

Kyunki woh sach jo file mein tha...

Kisi ek shakhs ko mutasir nahin karta tha.

Woh soch ko mutasir karta tha.

Yaqeen ko.

Tareekh ko.

Aur sab se badh kar...

Insaan ke apne aap ko dekhne ke tareeqe ko.
​

---

Muhafiz dheere se bola:

"Teesre aadmi ne isi liye faisla tum par chhoda tha."

Pehla shakhs ne poocha:

"Kyun?"

Muhafiz ne hall ke markazi daaire ki taraf dekha.

"Kyunki har daur ka jawab mukhtalif hota hai."

Woh ruk gaya.

"Jo faisla usne kiya tha..."

"...zaroori nahin ke aaj bhi wahi durust ho."
​

---

Yeh baat sun kar phir khamoshi chha gayi.

Kyunki pehli martaba unhein ehsaas hua...

Ke daaira kisi khaas natije tak pohanchne ke liye nahin bana tha.

Woh sirf itna chahta tha ke faisla samajh kar kiya jaye.

Majboori mein nahin.

Lalach mein nahin.

Darr mein nahin.
​

---

Subah ki roshni dheere dheere hall mein daakhil hone lagi.

Aur isi roshni mein pehla shakhs mez ke qareeb aaya.

Usne file dobara kholi.

Aakhri safha.

Wahi guzarish.

Wahi alfaaz.

"Jo bhi karo, usay apni khwahish ke liye mat karna."

Usne safha band kar diya.

Phir doosre shakhs ki taraf dekha.

"Tumhara kya khayal hai?"
​

---

Doosra shakhs ne kaafi dair tak jawab nahin diya.

Phir dheemi awaaz mein bola:

"Main samajhta hoon ke sach ko qaid nahin rehna chahiye."

Pehla shakhs ne sar uthaya.

"Lekin?"

Doosra shakhs ne gehri saans li.

"Lekin har sach ko pukarne ka waqt bhi hota hai."

Hall phir khamosh ho gaya.
​

---

Muhafiz ne pehli martaba muskuraya.

Halki si.

Thaki hui si.

Jaise usne isi jawab ka intezar kiya ho.

"Tum dono samajh gaye ho."

Usne kaha.

"Kya?"

Pehla shakhs ne poocha.

Muhafiz ne dheemi awaaz mein jawab diya:

"Ke raaz asal mein file mein nahin tha."

Dono mutawajjah ho gaye.
​

---

Muhafiz ne markazi daaire ki taraf ishara kiya.

"Raaz yeh tha ke jab ikhtiyar tumhare haath mein aaye..."

Woh ruk gaya.

"...to tum uska kya karte ho."

Khamoshi.

Gehri.

Aur pur-sukoon.
​

---

Bahar suraj tuloo hone laga tha.

Sadiyon purani imarat ki deewaron par pehli roshni phel rahi thi.

Aur us roshni mein hall pehli martaba kam pur-asraar lag raha tha.

Jaise apna kaam poora kar chuka ho.
​

---

Pehla shakhs ne dheemi awaaz mein kaha:

"To yahi aakhir tha?"

Muhafiz ne sar hila diya.

"Nahin."

"Phir?"

Muhafiz ki nazrein door kahin jam gayin.

"Aakhir kabhi nahin hota."

Woh halka sa muskuraya.

"Sirf zimmedari agle haath mein chali jati hai."
​

---

Dono khamosh ho gaye.

Kyunki woh samajh chuke thay.

Daaire ka maqsad raaz ko bachana nahin tha.

Raaz se zyada ahm us shakhs ko dhoondhna tha...

Jo uske baare mein faisla kar sake.

Aur ab...

Woh intezar khatam ho chuka tha.
​

---

Subah ki roshni poore hall mein phail gayi.

Diya bujh chuka tha.

File band ho chuki thi.

Aur markazi daaire ke gird phaili hui khamoshi mein ek ajeeb si takmeel mehsoos ho rahi thi.

Jaise koi bohat purana qissa apne anjaam tak pohanch gaya ho.

Ya shayad...

Apne naye aaghaz tak.
​

---

End of Chapter 41 — Faisla​

 

[spritemathews]

Chapter 42​

Naya Daaira​

Subah poori tarah tuloo ho chuki thi.

Suraj ki pehli kiranen markazi hall ke buland sutoon par phel rahi thin.

Wahi hall...

Jo raat bhar raazon, yaadon aur faislon ka markaz bana raha tha.

Magar ab uski fiza mukhtalif thi.

Jaise kisi bohat purane bojh se azaad ho gayi ho.
​

---

Mez par rakhi hui file band thi.

Khat dobara lifafe mein rakh diya gaya tha.

Aur markazi daaire ke darmiyan rakhi hui kursi ab bhi khamosh khadi thi.

Magar us kursi ka maani badal chuka tha.

Ab woh intezar ki alamat nahin lagti thi.

Balkeh takmeel ki.
​

---

Muhafiz dheere dheere kursi se utha.

Uski harkaton mein woh thakan thi jo sirf umar se nahin...

Intezaar se paida hoti hai.

Saalon ka intezar.

Naslon ka intezar.

Aur phir us intezar ka aakhir.

Pehla shakhs ne uski taraf dekha.

"Aap theek hain?"

Muhafiz halka sa muskuraya.

"Shayad pehli martaba."
​

---

Hall mein chand lamhon ki khamoshi chha gayi.

Phir muhafiz ne markazi daaire ki taraf dekha.

"Tum jaante ho..."

Woh dheemi awaaz mein bola.

"...main ne apni zindagi ka zyada hissa yeh samajhte hue guzara ke mera kaam raaz ki hifazat karna hai."

Doosra shakhs mutawajjah hua.

"Aur ab?"

Muhafiz ne sar hila diya.

"Ab samajh aaya ke mera kaam hifazat nahin tha."

Woh ruk gaya.

"Sirf amanat ko agle mod tak pohanchana tha."
​

---

Pehla shakhs khamosh raha.

Kyunki uske zehan mein bhi wahi baat gardish kar rahi thi.

Teesra aadmi.

Be-Naam Baani.

Nigran.

Muhafiz.

Sab ne apna kaam kiya.

Aur phir aage barh gaye.

Kisi ne daaire ko apni milkiyat nahin banaya.

Isi liye daaira zinda raha.
​

---

Bahar se hawa ka ek jhonka andar aaya.

Aur hall mein rakhe hue chand purane kagzaat halkay se hil gaye.

Muhafiz ki nazar un par padi.

Phir usne dheemi awaaz mein poocha:

"Ab tum dono kya karoge?"

Sawaal saada tha.

Magar uska jawab mushkil.
​

---

Doosra shakhs khidki ke qareeb chala gaya.

Bahar pahariyan roshni mein nahayi hui thin.

Woh wasi maidan jo raat ko pur-asraar lagta tha...

Ab bilkul mukhtalif nazar aa raha tha.

Jaise sach ka bhi yahi qanoon ho.

Andhere mein khauf paida karta hai.

Roshni mein samajh.
​

---

"Hum kuch nahin karenge."

Usne aakhir kaha.

Pehla shakhs ne hairat se uski taraf dekha.

"Kuch nahin?"

Doosra shakhs halka sa muskuraya.

"Nahin."

Woh ruk gaya.

"Hum jaldbazi nahin karenge."
​

---

Muhafiz ne sar jhuka kar yeh jawab suna.

Aur phir dheere se muskuraya.

Aisi muskurahat jo tasdeeq karti hai.

Jaise usne isi jawab ki umeed ki ho.

"Yahi daaire ka sabak tha."

Usne kaha.

"Kya?"

Pehla shakhs ne poocha.

Muhafiz ne jawab diya:

"Ke har sach ko foran bol dena hikmat nahin hota."
​

---

Hall phir khamosh ho gaya.

Magar is martaba yeh khamoshi bojhal nahin thi.

Pur-sukoon thi.

Jaise tamam sawaal apni jagah paa chuke hon.
​

---

Chand der baad teeno imarat se bahar nikle.

Suraj ab kaafi ooncha aa chuka tha.

Pahari hawa saaf aur thandi thi.

Aur markazi imarat unke peeche waise hi khamosh khadi thi.

Jaise sadiyon se khadi ho.

Aur sadiyon tak khadi rahegi.
​

---

Pehla shakhs ne mud kar imarat ko dekha.

"Tumhein lagta hai hum dobara yahan aayenge?"

Usne dheemi awaaz mein poocha.

Doosra shakhs kuch der tak khamosh raha.

Phir bola:

"Shayad."

Woh ruk gaya.

"Magar mujhe lagta hai ke agli martaba hum mehmaan nahin honge."

Pehla shakhs ne uski taraf dekha.

Magar kuch kaha nahin.

Kyunki woh maani samajh gaya tha.
​

---

Muhafiz un dono se chand qadam door khada tha.

Uski nazrein imarat par jami hui thin.

Jaise kisi purane dost ko alvida keh raha ho.

Phir usne dheemi awaaz mein kaha:

"Daaira khatam nahin hua."

Dono mutawajjah hue.

Muhafiz ne halka sa sar hila diya.

"Nahin."

Woh muskuraya.

"Bas ek naye daur mein daakhil hua hai."
​

---

Hawa ka jhonka phir chala.

Aur door kahin kisi parinde ki awaaz sunayi di.

Teeno kuch der tak khamosh khade rahe.

Phir dheere dheere pahari raste ki taraf badhne lage.

Markazi imarat unke peeche reh gayi.

Magar uski kahani nahin.
​

---

Kyunki kuch kahaniyan khatam nahin hotin.

Woh sirf apna markaz tabdeel karti hain.

Aur daaira...

Ab kisi imarat mein qaid nahin tha.

Na kisi sandook mein.

Na kisi file mein.

Balkeh un logon mein tha...

Jinhon ne intekhab ka matlab samajh liya tha.

End of Chapter 42 — Naya Daaira
​

 

[spritemathews]

Chapter 43​

Wapsi Ka Safar​

Pahari rasta khamosh tha.

Suraj ab poori tarah nikal chuka tha.

Aur subah ki saaf roshni mein har cheez pehle se zyada wazeh nazar aa rahi thi.

Magar teeno afrad ke zehan mein ab bhi wohi hall, wohi file aur wohi alfaaz gardish kar rahe thay.

Safar khatam ho gaya tha.

Ya shayad...

Abhi shuru hua tha.
​

---

Kayi martaba manzil tak pohanchna mushkil nahin hota.

Mushkil yeh hota hai ke manzil se wapas aane ke baad aadmi wahi insaan rahe.

Aur teeno mehsoos kar rahe thay ke unmein kuch tabdeel ho chuka hai.

Ek aisi tabdeeli jo lafzon mein bayan nahin ki ja sakti.
​

---

Pehla shakhs khamoshi se chal raha tha.

Aakhir usne poocha:

"Ek baat meri samajh mein nahin aayi."

Doosra shakhs ne uski taraf dekha.

"Kya?"

"Agar daaira sirf intezar tha..."

Woh ruk gaya.

"...to phir itni sadiyon tak uski hifazat kyun ki gayi?"

Muhafiz halka sa muskuraya.

Magar is martaba us muskurahat mein udaasi thi.

"Kyunki insaan jaldbaz hota hai."

Usne dheemi awaaz mein kaha.

"Magar waqt nahin."
​

---

Teeno chand lamhon tak khamosh rahe.

Hawa darakhton ke darmiyan se guzarti hui halki si sarsarahat paida kar rahi thi.

Aur us awaaz ke darmiyan muhafiz phir bola:

"Har daur mein logon ne koshish ki."

"Kis cheez ki?"

Pehla shakhs ne poocha.

"Raaz tak pohanchne ki."

Muhafiz ruk gaya.

"Magar unmein se aksar log jawab chahte thay."

Woh dheemi awaaz mein bola.

"Intekhab nahin."
​

---

Rasta dheere dheere neeche utar raha tha.

Door unki gaadi nazar aane lagi.

Magar kisi ko jaldi nahin thi.

Jaise har shakhs is safar ke aakhri lamhon ko mehsoos karna chahta ho.
​

---

Achanak doosra shakhs ruk gaya.

Uski nazar pahari ke ek kone par padi thi.

Pehla shakhs foran mutawajjah hua.

"Kya hua?"

Doosra shakhs ne kuch der tak jawab nahin diya.

Phir usne dheemi awaaz mein kaha:

"Wahan dekho."
​

---

Dono ne us simt dekha.

Door ek pathar par kuch bana hua tha.

Bohat purana.

Bohat maand.

Magar pehchana hua.

Daaire ka nishaan.

Magar is martaba uske darmiyan koi lakeer nahin thi.

Na koi alamat.

Na koi nishaan.

Sirf ek mukammal daaira.
​

---

Muhafiz ke qadam aahista ho gaye.

Usne pathar ko dekha.

Aur phir halka sa sar jhuka diya.

Jaise kisi purani riwayat ko salaam kar raha ho.

Pehla shakhs ne poocha:

"Is ka kya matlab hai?"

Muhafiz ne dheemi awaaz mein jawab diya:

"Takmeel."
​

---

Khamoshi.

Gehri.

Aur pur-sukoon.

Kyunki pehli martaba daaira mukammal nazar aa raha tha.

Na koi intezar.

Na koi talaash.

Na koi kami.
​

---

Gaadi tak pohanchte pohanchte dopahar hone lagi.

Teeno ruk gaye.

Ab unke raaste juda hone wale thay.

Muhafiz ne dono ki taraf dekha.

Uski aankhon mein woh bojh nahin tha jo pehle din tha.

Jaise kisi ne uske kandhon se saalon purani amanat utaar li ho.
​

---

"Tum dono se ek darkhwast hai."

Usne dheemi awaaz mein kaha.

Pehla shakhs aur doosra shakhs mutawajjah ho gaye.

"Kya?"

Muhafiz kuch der tak khamosh raha.

Phir bola:

"Is kahani ko raaz mat banana."

Dono hairan ho gaye.

"Magar..."

Muhafiz ne baat kaat di.

"Raaz aur khamoshi mein farq hota hai."

Woh ruk gaya.

"Raaz insaan ko qaid karta hai."

"Khamoshi use samajhne ka waqt deti hai."
​

---

Yeh alfaaz sun kar phir khamoshi chha gayi.

Kyunki unmein ajeeb si sachchai thi.

Wahi sachchai jo daaire ki tamam kahani mein baar baar saamne aati rahi thi.
​

---

Muhafiz ne aakhir un dono se haath milaya.

Phir bina peeche dekhe pahari raste ki doosri simt chal diya.

Dheere dheere.

Aahista aahista.

Aur phir darakhton ke darmiyan ojhal ho gaya.

Jaise kahani ka ek purana baab band ho gaya ho.
​

---

Pehla shakhs ne door tak dekha.

Phir dheemi awaaz mein poocha:

"Tumhein lagta hai hum usse dobara milenge?"

Doosra shakhs ne gaadi ka darwaza khola.

Aur halki si muskurahat ke saath bola:

"Shayad."

Woh ruk gaya.

"Magar agar nahin bhi mile..."

Usne aasman ki taraf dekha.

"...to mujhe lagta hai usse is baat se koi farq nahin padega."
​

---

Gaadi chal padi.

Pahari rasta peeche rehne laga.

Markazi imarat.

Daaire ka nishaan.

Purani file.

Teesra aadmi.

Sab kuch dheere dheere maazi ka hissa banta gaya.

Magar ek cheez saath reh gayi.

Ek sawal.

Woh sawal jo har daur mein naya hota hai.

Jab sach tumhare saamne ho... to tum uske saath kya karte ho?

Aur shayad...

Yahi daaire ka asal raaz tha.

End of Chapter 43 — Wapsi Ka Safar​

 

[spritemathews]

Chapter 44​

Aakhri Nishaan​

Shehar wapas aaye hue teen din guzar chuke thay.

Zindagi apni mamooli raftaar se chal rahi thi.

Sadkein waise hi masroof thin.

Log waise hi jaldi mein nazar aate thay.

Aur shehar ki awaazon mein koi tabdeeli mehsoos nahin hoti thi.

Magar dono afrad jaante thay...

Ke unke andar kuch badal chuka hai.
​

---

Markazi imarat ab peeche reh gayi thi.

File mehfooz jagah par rakh di gayi thi.

Aur daaire ka raaz ab kisi sandook mein qaid nahin tha.

Magar phir bhi...

Ek ajeeb si bechaini baqi thi.

Jaise kahani ne apna aakhri jumla abhi tak nahin likha.
​

---

Pehla shakhs apne daftar ki khidki ke paas khara tha.

Bahar shehar ki roshniyan chamak rahi thin.

Usne dheemi awaaz mein poocha:

"Tumhein kabhi lagta hai ke hum ne durust faisla kiya?"

Doosra shakhs kursi par baitha hua tha.

Chand lamhon tak khamosh raha.

Phir bola:

"Mujhe lagta hai hum ne jaldbazi nahin ki."

Woh halka sa muskuraya.

"Filhaal itna kaafi hai."
​

---

Khamoshi.

Pur-sukoon.

Magar mukammal nahin.

Kyunki sach ke saath ek ajeeb baat hoti hai.

Woh insaan ke zehan mein reh jata hai.

Chahe aadmi uske baare mein baat kare ya na kare.
​

---

Usi shaam ek ghair-mamooli waqia hua.

Daftar ki reception par ek purana lifafa aaya.

Na koi bhejne wale ka naam.

Na koi pata.

Bas ek saada sa lifafa.

Aur us par sirf ek jumla.

"Shakhs-e-Dom ke liye."

Pehla shakhs ne lifafa haath mein liya.

Uske chehre ka rang dheere dheere badalne laga.
​

---

"Tum ne bheja hai?"

Usne foran poocha.

Doosra shakhs ne nafi mein sar hila diya.

"Nahin."

Kamre mein sannata chha gaya.

Kyunki dono ek hi baat soch rahe thay.

Muhafiz?

Ya koi aur?
​

---

Lifafa khola gaya.

Andar sirf ek kagaz tha.

Aur us kagaz par sirf ek naqsha.

Bas ek.

Na koi alfaaz.

Na koi tashreeh.

Sirf naqsha.

Doosra shakhs us par jhuk gaya.

Aur phir uski aankhen tang ho gayin.

"Kya hua?"

Pehla shakhs ne poocha.

Doosra shakhs ne jawab nahin diya.

Usne kagaz uski taraf sarka diya.
​

---

Naqshay ke darmiyan ek nishaan bana hua tha.

Wahi purana daaira.

Magar is martaba uske saath ek aur alamat mojood thi.

Ek chhota sa sitara.

Aisa sitara jo unhon ne pehle kabhi nahin dekha tha.
​

---

"Tum ne yeh pehle dekha hai?"

Pehla shakhs ne poocha.

Doosra shakhs ne dheere se sar hila diya.

"Nahin."

Woh ruk gaya.

"Aur yahi baat mujhe pareshan kar rahi hai."

Kamre ki fiza ek dam badal gayi.
​

---

Kyunki daaire ki tamam kahani mein ek baat musalsal rahi thi.

Har nishaan pehchana hua tha.

Har alamat ka rabt maazi se tha.

Magar yeh sitara...

Bilkul naya tha.

Jaise kisi ne jaan-boojh kar ek naya baab shamil kar diya ho.
​

---

Raat tak dono us naqshay ka mutala karte rahe.

Aur phir...

Ek aur ajeeb baat saamne aayi.

Naqshay ke neeche bohat halki siyahi mein ek tareekh darj thi.

Aaj ki tareekh.

Bilkul aaj ki.

Pehla shakhs ne kagaz ko dobara dekha.

Phir teesri martaba.

"Tum samajh rahe ho?"

Usne dheemi awaaz mein poocha.

Doosra shakhs ne sar hila diya.

"Haan."

"Yeh purana paighaam nahin hai."

"Nahin."

Woh ruk gaya.

"Yeh aaj bheja gaya hai."
​

---

Khamoshi.

Gehri.

Aur pareshan kun.

Kyunki agar paighaam aaj bheja gaya tha...

To iska matlab tha ke kahani sirf maazi mein zinda nahin thi.

Koi aaj bhi mojood tha.

Koi jo daaire ki alamat jaanta tha.

Aur koi jo un dono tak pohanch sakta tha.
​

---

Raat kaafi ho chuki thi.

Bahar shehar ki roshniyan chamak rahi thin.

Aur kamre ke andar woh kagaz mez par phela hua tha.

Pehla shakhs ne dheemi awaaz mein poocha:

"Ab kya?"

Doosra shakhs khidki ke paas ja kar ruk gaya.

Uski nazrein shehar par jami hui thin.

Phir usne aahista kaha:

"Ab hum intezar karte hain."

"Kis ka?"

Doosra shakhs halka sa muskuraya.

Magar us muskurahat mein purani bechaini wapas aa gayi thi.

"Agla nishaan."
​

---

Kamre mein phir khamoshi chha gayi.

Magar is martaba yeh khamoshi mukammal nahin thi.

Ismein ek halki si harkat thi.

Ek nayi dastak ka ehsaas.

Jaise kahani ne alvida nahin kaha.

Bas ruk kar saans li ho.

Aur kahin door...

Koi naya safha khulne wala ho.

End of Chapter 44 — Aakhri Nishaan
​

 

[spritemathews]

Chapter 45​

Sitara​

Raat gehri hoti ja rahi thi.

Daftar ki khidki ke bahar shehar ki roshniyan door tak phaili hui thin.

Magar kamre ke andar tamam tawajju us kagaz par markooz thi.

Wahi kagaz.

Wahi daaira.

Aur uske saath bana hua woh naya sitara.

Ek aisi alamat jo pehle kabhi saamne nahin aayi thi.
​

---

Pehla shakhs mez ke qareeb khara tha.

Usne kagaz ko dobara uthaya.

"Tumhein yaqeen hai ke hum ne yeh pehle kabhi nahin dekha?"

Doosra shakhs ne sar hila diya.

"Yaqeen."

Woh ruk gaya.

"Isi liye yeh aham hai."

Kamre mein phir khamoshi chha gayi.

Kyunki daaire ki poori kahani mein koi bhi naya nishaan ittifaq nahin ho sakta tha.
​

---

Agle do din isi tahqiqaat mein guzre.

Purane records khole gaye.

Archive ki copies dekhi gayin.

Diary ke naqshon ka mutala hua.

Magar sitare ka koi zikr nahin mila.

Na Be-Naam Baani ke records mein.

Na Teesre Aadmi ke bayanaat mein.

Na Nigran ke hawalon mein.

Jaise yeh alamat kisi aur kahani ka hissa ho.
​

---

"Tumhein ehsaas hai iska matlab?"

Pehla shakhs ne poocha.

Doosra shakhs ne file band kar di.

"Haan."

"Kya?"

"Ya to koi naya khiladi saamne aaya hai."

Woh ruk gaya.

"...ya phir purani kahani ab tak mukammal nahin hui."

Kamre ki fiza ek dam sanjeeda ho gayi.
​

---

Shaam ke qareeb ek aur inkishaaf hua.

Kagaz ke pichhle hisse par bohat halki si dabao wali tahreer mojood thi.

Aankh se mushkil se nazar aati.

Magar roshni ek khaas zaviye se daali gayi to alfaaz ubhar aaye.

Sirf teen alfaaz.

"Jahan sitara gire."

Bas itna hi.

Na koi wazahat.

Na koi naam.

Na koi maqam.
​

---

"Jahan sitara gire?"

Pehla shakhs ne dheemi awaaz mein dohraya.

Doosra shakhs ki aankhen tang ho gayin.

"Kisi jagah ka ishara hai."

"Magar kaunsi jagah?"

Koi jawab nahin tha.

Magar jawab door bhi nahin tha.
​

---

Raat tak dono ne naqshay ka har pehlu dobara dekha.

Aur phir achanak doosra shakhs ruk gaya.

Uski nazar daaire aur sitare ki position par jam gayi.

"Tum ne yeh notice kiya?"

Usne poocha.

Pehla shakhs foran qareeb aa gaya.

"Kya?"

Doosra shakhs ne kagaz par ungli rakhi.

"Sitara daaire ke bahar hai."

Khamoshi.

Chand lamhon ki gehri khamoshi.
​

---

Pehla shakhs ne naqshay ko dobara dekha.

Aur phir uske chehre ka rang dheere dheere badalne laga.

"Kya tum kehna chahte ho..."

Woh ruk gaya.

Doosra shakhs ne baat mukammal ki.

"...ke yeh daaire ka hissa nahin hai."

Kamre mein sannata chha gaya.

Kyunki pehli martaba ehtemal paida hua tha...

Ke daaire se bhi bahar koi silsila mojood tha.
​

---

Woh silsila kya tha?

Dushman?

Humsafar?

Ya daaire se bhi purana koi raaz?

Kisi ko maloom nahin tha.

Magar ab ek baat wazeh ho chuki thi.

Safar khatam nahin hua tha.

Bilkul nahin.
​

---

Teesre din subah ek aur paighaam mila.

Is martaba lifafa nahin tha.

Bas daftar ke bahar gaadi ke sheeshe par laga hua ek chhota sa card.

Safed.

Saada.

Aur be-naam.

Pehla shakhs ne card uthaya.

Us par sirf ek naqsha bana hua tha.

Wahi sitara.

Magar is martaba uske neeche ek nayi cheez darj thi.

Ek address.
​

---

Doosra shakhs ne address padha.

Aur chand lamhon tak kuch nahin bola.

Phir usne card mez par rakh diya.

"Tum jaante ho yeh jagah kahan hai?"

Pehla shakhs ne poocha.

Doosra shakhs dheere se sar hila diya.

"Haan."

"Kahan?"

Doosra shakhs ki nazrein khidki ke bahar jam gayin.

Phir usne nihayat aahista kaha:

"Wahi ilaqa..."

Woh ruk gaya.

"...jahan daaire ka koi record kabhi nahin mila."

Kamre mein phir sannata chha gaya.
​

---

Kyunki daaire ki tamam kahani mein ek baat mushtarak thi.

Har raasta kisi na kisi record tak jata tha.

Har alamat ka koi maazi tha.

Magar yeh jagah...

Bilkul saaf thi.

Jaise usay jaan-boojh kar tareekh se bahar rakha gaya ho.
​

---

Pehla shakhs ne card uthaya.

Aur us par bane hue sitare ko ghour se dekha.

Ab woh sirf ek nishaan nahin lag raha tha.

Woh dawat lag raha tha.

Ek nayi dawat.

Ek naye safar ki.
​

---

Doosra shakhs ne dheemi awaaz mein poocha:

"Tayyar ho?"

Pehla shakhs ne card ko moor kar jeb mein rakha.

Phir halki si muskurahat uske chehre par ubhri.

Waisi hi muskurahat jo bohat arse pehle pehli imarat ke saamne ubhri thi.

"Tayyar to nahin."

Woh ruk gaya.

"Magar chal sakte hain."
​

---

Khidki ke bahar shehar apni mamooli zindagi mein masroof tha.

Aur kamre ke andar ek naya safha khul chuka tha.

Daaire ki kahani apni takmeel tak pohanch chuki thi.

Magar sitara...

Abhi apni kahani shuru kar raha tha.

End of Chapter 45 — Sitara​